Govt ready for prompt payments of grain

Maize farmers have been assured of prompt payments for grain delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

This was revealed by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Agriculture Minister Dr Joseph Made during a tour of maize fields at Pamene Farm, 25 km west of Chinhoyi.

The government has expressed its readiness to pay for grain deliveries to the GMB at a price of US$390 per tonne.

Vice President Mnangagwa, who toured Pamene Farm this Thursday in Makonde district said grain millers have already made payments for about 800 000 metric tonnes of maize ahead of harvesting, thus providing a guarantee of availability of funds to pay to farmers a few days after deliveries to the GMB.

Pamene Farm is owned by Johanne Marange leader, Mutumwa Noah Taguta who has 240 hectares under maize, 100 hectares of which were supported by the command agriculture scheme.

Payments will, however, be made through farmers’ bank accounts, and to that effect, Vice President Mnangagwa urged maize farmers to ensure they have such accounts.

Turning to winter wheat production, Cde Mnangagwa reiterated earlier assertions that funding has been secured to support production on 50 000 hectares.

Meanwhile, Dr Made has called on grain producers to deliver their produce to the GMB.

He also revealed plans to support the local horticulture sector by banning importation of products that can be produced in abundance locally.

“A temporary ban on poultry and beef importation has also been imposed,” said Dr Made.